Bath salt abuse is emerging as a major public health issue, with teenagers and adults in their forties at risk. Bath salts contain synthetic stimulants similar to cathinone and are marketed as "not for human consumption" to circumvent laws, though they have no legitimate use and can cause severe health effects like psychosis or death. While the DEA has banned common ingredients, manufacturers find loopholes by labeling products as plant food or incense. Prevention involves monitoring loved ones for signs of abuse like behavior changes or increased spending.

2. Bath Salt Abuse: Everything you Need
to Know
Meta: Have you heard news of deaths due to bath salt abuse? Read this article to know what it means,
who is at risk, and what treatments are available.
Bath salt abuse is emerging as a major public health issue in the recent years. In fact, the so-called bath
salts are not true bath salts, the finely divided minerals for use while bathing.
The label on the addictive bath salt products mentions “not for human consumption”. Such a label, in
many cases, protects the marketers from legal action. However, you should understand that these
products have no legitimate use. In reality, the marketers have found a way to legally substitute other
illegal drugs like cocaine, ecstasy, and methamphetamines. To further mask the illegitimate use, these
products may also be sold as plant food, incense or insect repellant.
Teenagers constitute a major portion of bath salt abusers. Nonetheless, adults in their forties are also
found to have abused it. According to many studies, bath salt abuse may cause severe psychiatric
problems or even death.
Synonyms: "Ivory Wave," "Purple Wave," "Red Dove," "Blue Silk," "Zoom," "Bloom," "Cloud Nine,"
"Ocean Snow," "Lunar Wave," "Vanilla Sky," "White Lightning," "Scarface," and "Hurricane Charlie."
What are Bath Salts?
Bath salts are man-made chemicals that have stimulant properties. They are similar to a natural
stimulant called cathinone. For this reason, they are also called synthetic cathinones. Bath salts are
usually less expensive than other substances of abuse. They may take it by mouth, snorting or injecting.
What is Bath Salt Abuse?
According to the WHO, drug abuse or substance abuse refers to “the harmful or hazardous use of
psychoactive substances, including alcohol and illicit drugs.” By the same token, when your loved one
uses bath salts with a sole purpose of getting high, it can be considered abuse.
Remember abuse does not necessarily mean a full blown addiction has kicked off. Nonetheless, abuse
could be the beginning of a potential addiction problem.
Legal Status of Bath Salts

3. The common ingredients in bath salt are 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), 4-
methylmethcathinone (mephedrone) and methylone. The Drug Enforcement Authority (DEA) banned all
three compounds in 2011 and categorized them as Schedule I substances. Meaning, they have no
medical use, are highly addictive and unsafe for consumption.
But the manufacturers and distributors stay away from the reach of the law by finding loopholes there.
For them, the label acts as the savior. After all, one cannot be pleaded guilty when they have clearly
followed the existing laws. Thus, bath salt abuse presents a complicated situation for the law
enforcement authorities.
Owing to the deadly effects of bath salt abuse and accidental overdose, many local authorities are
working to ban these products.
Bath Salt Stats and Stories
Bath salt stats are surely scary. The number of abusers has increased by many folds in the recent years.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says emergency room visits due to the
complications from bath salt abuse is rising. Unfortunately, there are also reports of death at the time of
the visit.
Factors That Promote Bath Salt Abuse
● Easy availability. You can get them at tobacco shops, convenience stores, adult book stores, gas
stations, and truck stops. More recently, online vendors have also started to sell these products.
● Low price. Unlike cocaine or heroin, you don’t have to spend a lot to purchase a bath salt
product. It is available at a price as low as $20 per package.
● Apparently, legal status. The law bans the use of the ingredients in these products. Nonetheless,
it does very little to ensure how you use it. In essence, buying the product may be legal but
using may not be.
Common Health Effects of Bath Salt Abuse
Depending on the dose taken and method of administration, the health effects can range from agitation
to suicide or even homicide. The following list gives the common health effects of bath salt abuse.
● Anxiety.
● Aggressive behavior.
● Increased heartbeat (tachycardia).
● Seeing or hearing things that are not there (hallucinations).
● Delusional thoughts.
● Tremors.
● Paranoia.
● Seizures.

4. ● Loss of sleep.
● The tendency of harm to the self or others.
The effects are likely to be more severe if the abuser combines a bath salt product with alcohol or any
other drug.
Know the Common Treatments atthe ERfor Bath Salt Abuse
At the emergency room, the doctors will most likely give benzodiazepine medication to control seizures
and agitation. Once stable, the patient may need psychiatric consultation.
What You Can Do to Prevent Bath Salt Abuse in Your Loved Ones
The director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) urges parents and teachers of teenagers to
closely watch their kids and report any unusual behavior indicative of abuse.
In addition to monitoring your loved one, you may also want to consider the following tips.
● Take note of their expenses. Increasing demand for pocket money is a strong indicator of a
possible drug abuse problem.
● Talk to them if their behavior has changed recently. Social withdrawal, unusual mood swings,
aggressiveness, and violent behaviors are some signs that warrant immediate action.
● See if they have recently joined a new group of friends. In fact, abuse and addictive behaviors
often flourish in a group.
● Watch for physical signs such as their appearance, skin changes and marks of injection.
● Talk to an addiction counselor if you are sure your loved one is abusing bath salts or any other
drugs.
Want To Know More?
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